Joaquin Castro: “I would make two points. The first is that this is an unfunded mandate because the Library of Congress was already well…”

“I would make two points. The first is that this is an unfunded mandate because the Library of Congress was already well on its way to changing this term. Now, Congress is instructing it that it cannot do that. There is no way that money is not spent in following the instruction of Congress. So I disagree with the gentleman. This is an unfunded mandate. To the issue itself, there was no argument from the other side that these words are pejorative, that this word is an anachronism. And, by the way, Mr. Speaker, this word is used in Federal code and applies to people who are here who are undocumented and also people who are here legally who are residents. So this is not only an issue of the undocumented. This is an issue of immigrants generally. I know that, over the years, ours has been a very devout nation, a nation of faith, and that includes many of the people in this body. I, for example, have had an opportunity to visit with the faith study group that meets once a week that talks about the issues of their own personal faith, their own journeys, and the work that they do for their constituents. As I think about my own district, which is 64 percent Hispanic in San Antonio, it is a town whose creativity, entrepreneurism, and spirit has been infused by the immigrant spirit. These are hardworking, often humble people who don't ask for much from their government, who work hard to provide for their families and who hardly ever will be heard to complain.…”